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G8.1 Project title:
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I-70 & Little Blue Parkway Interchange Improvements
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G8.2 Project description: |
This project includes the addition of left turn lanes on Little Blue Parkway onto I-70, the widening of the I-70 off-ramps onto Little Blue Parkway, enhanced pedestrian accommodations and ADA upgrades. These improvements will enhance traffic operations during weekday commute as well as during busy shopping periods and Silverstein Eye Centers Arena events. Overall this project will greatly reduce congestion at this interchange and improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Mike Landvik - (816) 607-2256 - Michael.landvik@modot.mo.gov
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G1. Project Type: |
Road & Bridge - Roadway Operations
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G2. Funding Stream: |
STP
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G3. TIP Number: |
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G4. State: |
Missouri
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G5. Project county: |
1. Jackson
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G6. Project municipality: |
1. MoDOT 2. Independence
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G7. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
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No
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G8.4 Purpose and need:
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There is high congestion on Little Blue Parkway during peak hours and after events at the Silverstein Eye/Independence Event Center due to limited capacity for left turns onto I-70. The addition of left turn lanes on Little Blue Parkway will greatly increase the efficiency of the interchange and cut delay times by 50%. There is also congestion and safety issues on the off-ramps from I-70 to Little Blue Parkway due to the narrow sub-standard lanes, widening the lanes will improve driver confidence and provide a wider shoulder. There is also a need for pedestrian and ADA improvements, this project will increase pedestrian mobility and safety across I-70 creating greater access to the numerous major activity centers.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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Little Blue Parkway
WB I-70 ramp
EB I-70 ramp
.13
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G10. Functional Classification:
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Freeway/Expressway
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G11. In Transportation Outlook 2040?
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No
Decade:
--Select--
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G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
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No
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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Yes
This project is currently in MoDOTs Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as a scoping project.
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G14. Planning stage:
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Conceptual Plan
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G15. Reviewed by state DOT?
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Yes
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G16. Right-of-Way acquisition: |
All acquired or none needed
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G17. ROW by local public agency process manual?
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Yes
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G18. Other unique local goals and objectives?
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Yes
This project will increase medical access and response times for Emergency Medical Services to the Centerpoint Medical Center and Childrens Mercy Hospital. This is the main interchange used to access both hospitals and are some of the farthest east hospitals on I-70 and most accessible for rural areas along the I-70 corridor.
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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This project will greatly increase the mobility of the disabled by upgrading the ADA ramps and truncated domes providing access between the hotel and Childrens hospital south of I-70 to the major commercial areas north of I-70. There is also a low-income mobile home park just south of this project and that population will benefit from the pedestrian upgrades across the I-70 ramps. This project will also create a safer pedestrian crossing for people traveling between the large hotel south of I-70 to visit patients at Centerpoint Medical center on the north side of I-70.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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This project is included in MoDOTs current Statewide Transportation Improvement Program(STIP) as a scoping project. MoDOT goes through a public comment period each year during the development of the STIP and bases its project selection in part through discussions with the public and its planning partners.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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MoDOT has been in contact with the city of Independence regarding the need for this project. We will also contact the affected property owners during the preliminary, right-of-way and construction phases keeping them informed on the project. We will also keep the general public informed during construction using our website and social media about any delays or detours.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living-------Compact, Walkable Centers---
Complete Street Design-------Context Appropriate Streets-------
----Green Infrastructure-------Integrated Trail System---
----Natural Resources Protection-------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
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-----Unique Community Characteristics
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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Improving a pedestrian connection on Little Blue Parkway across all four I-70 ramps and by upgrading ADA we will minimize the barrier that I-70 creates for pedestrians. This will do so by creating a safer crossing for pedestrians to and from hospitals, hotels shops and jobs.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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No
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
High-Intensity and More_Walkable Centers
One of the main purposes of this project is to increase the accessibility to four major regional activity centers, Centerpoint Medical Center, Childrens Mercy East, the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena and the Independence Mall by reducing the congestion to and from these activity centers. This project will greatly alleviate the congestion related to the Mavericks hockey games and other events at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena which can back-up traffic after events almost a mile on Little Blue Parkway and East Valley View Parkway back to the arena itself. This project will reduce congestion on southbound Little Blue Parkway during PM peak and allow for better access to the interstate from Centerpoint Medical Center and the Independence Mall. This project will also create better pedestrian access to these activity centers across I-70.
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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Yes
The area just to the northwest of the interchange is an EJ tract and this project will greatly increase the access to major activities for this EJ area.
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
The addition of turn lanes and wider ramps will greatly reduce congestion which will result in fewer stops, significantly less idling and lower green house emissions. Also, the ADA upgrades and safer pedestrian accommodations will make crossing over I-70 less of a barrier increasing the bicycle and pedestrian trips between activity centers in this location and reducing the number of vehicles and emissions.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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Open ditches decrease peak stormwater flow and improve water quality, which we will maintain as a part of this project. This will help absorb rainwater and decrease run-off into the Little Blue watershed.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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This project is included in the scoping section of MoDOTs Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and has been identified as a need.
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G30.1 Complies with MARC’s CSP?
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Yes
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G30.2 Exception to the MARC CSP?
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No
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Traveler Type (All Ages & Abilities)
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Pedestrians:
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Mobility Aids:
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Bicyclists:
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Transit Riders:
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Cars:
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Trucks:
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Motorcycles:
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Buses:
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Green Streets:
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We welcome your feedback on this. Comments from the public will be shared with project
sponsors and the evaluating committee. If you wish to be contacted directly about
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